The Wedding Day:
Daisy & John
SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA - I've been dying everyday I didn't post about this wedding. This one was more special than usual for us. If you've been following our instagram you know why. If you haven't well here we go:
This bride, Daisy, we've seen her grow into the beautiful, confident bride you see here. The short story is that we've been photographing her since she hired us for her senior portraits. She was shy and lacking confidence. But after working with us, she blossomed into beautiful being full confidence that we've photographing with her every year doing some amazing pieces.
Now she was a bride and our hearts are full...
But let us concentrate on this day...
I was more nervous then usual about this shoot. We strive for perfection in every wedding, but now we are photographing someone who has a closer connection than usual getting married. I felt the extra pressure to give my absolute best and then some. Everything had to come up right. There were so many thoughts rushing through my mind as I drove up the 15 North Freeway... wait..was i going the right way? I looked at my GPS. Of course I was. What is wrong with me?
Did I have breakfast? What if my blood sugar goes down? What if its too high did I bring my medicine? Wait...do I have all of my equipment? I'll be there on time right? I need a cigarette.
But I don't even smoke. Never have.
We finally arrived at her familiar house and as we walked in a room full of happy girls my anxiety seemed to control itself. Especially when I saw her coming from behind the stairs with her big smile. I remember why I was so happy to do this wedding. For my little sister, Daisy. My wife and I got our gear and ready and after hugging and going through the agenda my wife starting shooting and doing her thing.
Meanwhile, I headed up north to meet with John. I didn't know John very well. The first time I met him was at the beach in one of our passion projects with Daisy in Corona Del Mar. He was quiet and well mannered. But when Daisy was around he made her laugh. That's when I knew he had her heart.
I arrived to their future apartment where all the groomsmen would meet to get ready, but, it was early and they were watching my favorite movie, 'The Dark Knight'. We chatted and talked about the movie, Heath Ledger's demise and talk about the behind the scenes of the movie as if we were there when they were filming. It was a good way to kill time.
But then the time arrived for John to get ready. So I got ready and began to capture those little moments on his side.
The First Look
These occasions are special because this is the moment the groom sees the bride for the first time in her wedding dress. We set up this moment with the intent to take the breath out of the groom and capture his reaction.
At The Ceremony
The moment everyone has been waiting for, including us, is here. Even though this couple is special to us, we have a wedding to capture, and we have to put our emotions aside and do what we do best: capturing the little moments and life-changing events. As always with these Jehovah's Witnesses, we are greeted by the sweetest of smiles, and we witness the great love they have among each other. No matter where you go, it's always the same with them.
But the nervousness is always there before the ceremony. Until the ceremony begins...
Wedding Portraits
This was the part that ourselves and Daisy have worked on for years. I didn't have to give much direction because she knew what we were going for. I loved every moment of it, especially the location. It looks like we were in Iceland.
Reception
The party was here, and the pressure was no longer. It's fun times from here on out for us and the newlyweds. A beautiful and simple reception.
